Start with One Thing

Being overwhelmed. Not knowing where to start.Being paralyzed by fear.Feeling like we’re juggling too many balls in the air.

In the #LeadershipMinute video above, I connect with my good friend, Shannon Miller, who addresses this issue in which we can all relate. Shannon is an incredible leader, a dynamic librarian, an advisor for Future Ready Librarians, and most importantly, an amazing person.

As you heard from Shannon, she simply recommends to “just start with one thing.”After all, isn’t that the only way possible?

It reminds me of the question, “How do you eat an elephant?” With a follow up response of, “One bite at a time.”

Whether you’re a teacher librarian, a principal, a classroom teacher, or a Superintendent, I can just about guarantee that you’re feeling like your plate is full. In fact, I can’t remember ever hearing from one of the above how they had so much time on their hands and they didn’t know how to spend it.

So what can we do if we’re feeling overwhelmed?

1. Take Inventory – What are those things that you have to do? What are those things that you’d like to do?2. Set Priorities – Analyze the inventory and prioritize them from “non-negotiable” to “it would be nice to…”3. Start with One Thing – Take what it is that you really want to do and find a way to start. Right now. Send an email. Order a needed resource. Have that conversation. Just start.

[No, seriously, go do it. Like, right now.]

4. Get Help – The prideful mindset believes they can do everything on their own. There are only so many hours in the day, and there are amazingly talented people out there besides you. Connect and get help.5. Keep Moving Forward – Take the next steps. Keep going.6. Celebrate the Small Wins – Take time to breathe while celebrating the small wins. Recognize large successes are a compilation and culmination of many small wins.

Whether it’s the fear of failure, too much care for what other people may think, or a paralysis from feeling overwhelmed… Just start. …and start with one thing.

So, what’s it for you? What is it that you’ve been wanting to move forward with, but haven’t yet? What’s your next step here? Why not take it today?

The pain of regret will be more difficult than the pain of failing forward and trying again.

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‪EDUCATORS: Just because something is digital, does NOT mean it’s any good. You can be 100% paperless with 100% digital content/tools AND be 100% LOW LEVEL. We must place TASKS BEFORE APPS. Thanks to @classtechtips for joining this #LeadershipMinute. #FutureReady ‬

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Principals! Check out this year's brand new #FutureReady Institutes and our Principals Strand! Led by @casas_jimmy & @gustafsonbrad, this strand is sure to help you take your leadership to the next level. For more on these free events, visit: futureready.org/institutes.

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EDUCATORS: TITLES don’t make leaders. ACTIONS do. Some of the greatest SCHOOL LEADERS are those teaching in classrooms every day & those that are part of a support staff. A title doesn’t mean one’s effective. His/Her actions determine it. #FutureReady #LT8Keys #LeadershipMinute

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Check out the #FutureReady District Leadership strand, led by FRS Advisors @joe_sanfelippo (WI) & Suzanne Lacey (AL), available at this year's 2019 Future Ready Institutes. To register your leadership team for one of this year's free Institutes, visit http://futureready.org/institutes.

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‪SCHOOL LEADERS: Taking care of the Social-Emotional side isn’t just for students, it’s about TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE as well. Check out how @basilmarin_inspires and his team value Social-Emotional Learning for STUDENTS AND STAFF! #LeadershipMinute #FutureReady ‬